Church celebrates 170 years

Saturday

May 17, 2014 at 6:40 AMMay 17, 2014 at 6:47 AM

By Nancy HastingsTwitter: @nhastingsHDNHILLSDALE — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Hillsdale has come a long way since being established in 1844.The church will celebrate 170 years during a special service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, with the Rev. Reid Hamilton, chaplain of Canterbury House Episcopal Center at the University of Michigan, presiding. A luncheon will follow the service.Senior Warden Jauretta Lamb Moore said the church was originally established as Mission of Grace Church in Jonesville.In February 1857, the ladies of the church raised $75 to purchase “an eligible lot,” which was re-deeded to wardens and vestrymen. On April 28, 1858, a resolution stated that it was “expedient to build a church on village lot number 42 — Old Plat of the Village of Hillsdale,” now known as 3 N. Broad St.On June 23, 1858, the cornerstone was laid.According to Moore, the church was consecrated by the Diocesan on March 3, 1859. Three days later, Holy Communion was administered to six communicants by the new Rector, the Rev. Gilbert Hayden, the first resident priest.On May 30, 1863, the first major addition, a pipe organ that replaced the old melodeon, was installed. This was the first pipe organ in Hillsdale, Moore said.In 1923, a new Moeller pipe organ was purchased and installed.On Thanksgiving Day 1859, a 520-pound cast steel church bell rang — the first in the Village of Hillsdale.Additionally, in 1872 the first memorial window was unveiled. It was in memory of the Rev. Henry H. DeGarmo, who was the church's rector from 1869-1870.In March 1935, a fire caused by the furnace occurred. Moore noted the remodeled church was “one of the finest buildings in this section of the country, an ornament to the city that attracted wide attention.”The church celebrated 100 years in May 1959 and in May 1994, celebrated its 150th anniversary.In 1997, the church was registered as a Michigan Historical Site. The plaque for this designation was accepted by Rev. Betty Frolick and Archdeacon for the Diocese of Michigan Christine Carlin.On Sept. 10, 2002 St. Peter’s Free Clinic (in the church’s basement), under the direction of Jill Pavka, executive director, opened to serve low-income and uninsured Hillsdale County residentsMoore said she has attended the church all her life and is the fourth generation of her family serving there.“May St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Hillsdale remain for another hundred years,” Moore said. “We’re going forth to serve God and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.”